Nonskid chain



May 10, 1927. 1,627,587

C. A. WARE ET AL 'NONSKID CHAIN Filed Jan. 8 1926 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

N ONSKID CHAIN.

Application filed January 8, 1926.

The present invention relates to a chain which may be made in three,four or any convenient number of units up to seven or eight, each unitcomprising a single chain which may be separately applied; These chainsare spaced by substantially equal arcs to suit the convenience of thedevice, and they may be applied without ackin up or turning the wheel.The fact that the chains are separate and independent units not onlycontributes to the convenience of the user in applying them but makes itfeasible to use just as many or just as few units as running conditionsmay warrant, it being a wellknown fact that the variety of conditionspresented in operation involve quite a variation in the tendency to skidand in the necessity for preventive measures of this sort. Each unitcomprises a chain of sufficient length to extend in a radial planeincluding the axis about the short circumference of the tire, rim andfelly in addition to the length of the radius from the centre of thewheel to the folly. and in the preferred form there may be a few linksin excess of this length.

In addition to this each unit or individual chain is formed with an eyeat one end large enough so that the chain may be passed therethrough anda fastening at the other end adapted to be engaged with the projectingportion of the hub or hub cap to fasten the chain at the centre of thewheel. v i

The fastening in the preferred form is a hook and is shown as a doublehook or 8,

both sides of the hook being open, and the small end of the hook beingsmall enough 4 to pass through the eye.

In operation the end of the chain having the eye is passed around thetire, rim and felly at the most accessible point. other end of the chainis then passed through the eye and engaged with the hub. As many chainsas may be needed are applied preferably without jacking or turning thewheel. These are spaced at convenient distances along the tire and rinnThe hook referred to above may be passed through the eye and hooked overthe hub. Any preferred number, from one to seven, may be applied in thisway, and when all of the chains which are to be used, have been hookedover the hub, a pin or other fastening means is passed through the hubcap to hold the hooks in position. The chain as The Serial No. 80,070.

applied in this way is most securely fastened, the loop or eye giving acramping effect, so that there is very little pull at the centre of thewheel. At the same time the chain has a certain amount of creep whichprevents wearing the tire and it does not rattle or become disengaged.Also. the length of the chain may be adjusted to different tires andwheels by engaging the hook with different links of the chain, the wireof which the hook is made and the links being proportioned to providefor this function.

In the accompanying drawing we have illustrated a chain embodying thefeatures of our invention in the preferred form and an automobile wheelto which the chain is applied,

In the drawing-- Figure 1 is an elevation of the chain readyfortapplication to a wheel. This is a single run Figure 2 is afragmentary side elevation of a wheel to which the chain is applied.

Figure 3 is a crosssection on the line 8-3 of Figure 2 showing themanner of looping the chain around the tire, rim and felly.

Figure 4 is. an elevation of a wheel with four of the non-skid chains orunits in position. i

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of whichisused to indicatethe same or similar parts in the different figures, the non-skid chainunit as shown in Figure 1 comprises a piece 1 of chain, of a lengthsufficient to encompass the tire, rim and felly, and in addition theretoa little less than the radius of the wheel inside the rim, to which, inthe preferred formof'the invention, two or three links are added forpurposes of adjustment. This unit or chain is provided at one end withan eye 2 of rigid construction so as to stand any stress which can beput upon the chain, and of sufficient size so that the chain may bepassed freely through it. At the other end is an open loop or hook 3.the opening 4: in the hook or loop being of sufficient size to pass overor encompass the projecting portion of the hub or hub cap 5. This bookor loop may be fastened to the chain in any suitable manner.

In the preferred form, as shown, it is a double hook or 8 having asecond hook member or eye 6 which is hooked through or engagedwwithawlink 7 at orinear :the end of the chain. hook or eye 6 of Whatevertype should-boas strong; ass-the chain; and. 1 small enough to passthrough the eye 2. and the opening or space 8 between the point 9 andthe shanlz ltl leading to the opening; 4t ot the large hoolc, must belarge enouglfito pass the wire or other material forming the eye 2.which. for purposes ot'illustration is shown in positionppassing'itln'ough this opening and encompassingthe point of the hoolcInnpplying the chain, the point '9 ol' the hook is passed 'thl'ouglrtheeye the chain having been already looped around the tire, rim and telly..as abovedescribed. and the entire hook With-the fastening- G and thechainl is led throughthe eye. as aforesaid. the. hook'beinn in turnpassed over the hiil) cap,

Figures 2. Sand 4 illustrate a-wlieel comprising spokes 11. telly 12,rim 14 and tire 15. Figure Q is fragmentary and 'shows a single unit 01chain iii-position. the lo0p or eye Sbingldcked or.otherwiseheld inposition on the hub' against displacement by means of a pin 17 Which ispassed through a suitable hole 18 in the hub cap bored for this purpose.the pin =17'bei1igin turn held by a small 'cotter 19." Figure 4 showstour chains in position. though any number may be used. each of thehooks. being in turn passed over the hub'which'will hold as many asseven or eight if desired. and-lit "condi-.

tions require it. a longer hubcap Which This" fastening, secondary tionin order that: the nature and operation of the same may be clearlyunderstood; however; the specific terms herein are used descriptii'elyrather -than-in a limiting asense, the scope of the invention beingdescribed and defined in the claims.

oi the other units and means for holding;

said loops on the hub.

2. A n0n-skid chain for motor vehicle's consistingof separate units,each unit :co1n-' prising a chain thaving a hook at'one end adapted toengage ai'idbi'icircle the huhand an eye at lheother end of a size topass the chain. the heel-shaving: means f01.'611 gaging any one-ofseveral dilierent links of the chain 'iroyiding; for adjustment as tothe length ot' the chain.

35A non-skid chaln' for motorfivehlcles consisting of separateunits.-each unit .coma

prising a [chain having a hholiat one 'end adapted to engagethe huh. andan eye at the otherend of a size to pass the chain and hook; the hookhaving itspoint spaced awayvtrom the shank-to admit the eye and providefor the passage of "the hookv and chain through the eye.

LIA non-skid chain for motorxrehicles consistingof separate units. eachunit. coinprising' a chain having a hool-sat'oneend ada'ptedto engagethe hub. and. an eye at the other end of a size, to pass the chain andhook the hookhaving means for-engaging the chain in the Form ot a second"smaller hook member adapted to he passed through any one ofseverallinks of'the chain and also of "such asize as to pass with the hool;shankthrough the eye.

Signed by us at Pasadena. l i'ld. this 2nd day of January.- 1926.

can macs A: WARE. ALWIN- nnrorntnmnna

